Signal



March 4, 1930. P. J. ROONEY SIGNAL Filed Aug. 21, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet l avwenioz F? If Rooney March 4, 1930. P. J. ROONEY S IGNAL 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 21, 1929 {inventor R (I190 o n e? Patented Mar. 4, 1930 PATENT OFFICE PATRICK J. RODNEY, OF SUGAR NOTGH, PENNSY IJVANIA SIGNAL Application filed August 21, 1929. Serial Io. 887,480.

The present invention relates to lanterns.

or similar devices, and has for its object the provision of an inexpensive device which may be mounted upon an automoblle and manipulated to indicate the direction in which the vehicle isto proceed. The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawingsdl and will be herinafter set forth and defin'e In the drawings: Figure 1 is a front elevation of one embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 2 is a horizontal section on the line 22' of Fig.1, v

Fig. 3 is a vertical section on the line 33 of Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a side elevation of a second embodiment of the invention, v 1 v 5 is a sectional view taken longitudinally of the structure shown in Fig. 4, and Fig. 6 is a transverse section on the line 66 of Fig. 4. Q p

In carrying out the invention as illustrated in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, there is provided a' cylin- 5 drical casing 1 having at one point in its circumference upper and lower lens tubes 2 and 3, each of which carries a lens, the upper lens 4 being preferably green and the lower lens 5 being preferably red. In the lower portion of the c lindrical casing 1, there is rotatably but snugly fitted a cylindrical member 6 which rests on the bottom 7 of the casing and at one point in its circumference is constructed with an opening 8 of the same diameter as the lenstubes. Approximately midway the height of the casing 1, a horizontal slot 9 is formed therein and this slot extends half way around .the casing to receive a stem 10 fixed to the "ring 6 and extending through the slot, as shown. Upon reference to Fig. 2 it will be noted that the ends of the slot are. disposed. in a verticalplane passing throughthe axis of I the lens tubes, and it will also be noted upon reference to Fig. 3 that the stem 10is at a bulb 12 and the terminal 13 of an electriccable so that current may be supphed to the point diametrically opposite the opening 8 in bulb in an obvious manner to illuminate the interior' of the casing. The casing is, of

. course, provided with atop 14 which may be removed when renewal of the bulb is necesthe bulb 12 will be reflected through the lenses in the lens tubes. Normally the opening 8 in the rin 6 is out of alinement with the lower lens, as s own in Fig. 3, and said lens will be obscured by the body of the ring, the light, however, being emitted through the upper green lens 4: A lantern will be provided on each side of the car and the red lens on either side will be illuminated to indicate an intention toturn to that side. If it be intended to turn, the ring 6 is shifted by means of the stem or handle 10 so that the opening 8 will be caused to aline with the lower lens 5, whereupon said lens will be illuminated and a red light will show below, the green light, thereby notifying other motorists 'to proceed with caution.

In the form of the invention illustrated in Figs. 4, 5 and 6, there is provideda segmental or substantially semi-cylindrical casing 15. which is secured in or on the vehicle at its chordal side, the closure 16 of the casing bein secured in said side. In the opposite sides 0 the casing are formed sight openings over which panes 17 of clear glass are secured bymeans of frames 18 fixed on the sides of the casing, as will be understood. The openings and the panes 17 are tapered toward the center about which the arcuate side of the casing is formed andwithin the casing concentric therewith is mounted a frame 19 consisting of side members 20 and an opa ue arch 21 connectingthe side members. T e side members are of a eneral triangular formation and are secured to a rock shaft 22 which is located 8 approximately at the center of -the-arcuate sideof the casingand is equipped at one end with a crank handle 23, the shaft being journaled in the sides of the casing, as shown in from the outer end of the frame toward the inner end thereof and thereby defining two openings through each side member. These openings are fitted with panes 25 of colored glass, the panes in the alined openings on the opposite sides of the frame being of the same color. One paneis red and the other green and normally the frame assumes the position shown in Fig. 5 so that neither colored pane will be disposed over or in line with the clear panes 17. The casin is illuminated by a lamp 26 fitted throug one end thereof and ordinarily a clear light will be displayed inasmuch as the parts are in the position shown in Fi 5. If it is desired to notify persons in the vlcinity of the vehicle of an intention to change. the course or the direction of the vehicle, the frame 19 is rocked by means of the crank 23 and the shaft 22 so that either of the colored panes 25 may be caused to aline with the clear pane 17 and thereby display a green or a red llght as the case may be. When .the green light is displayed, the operator will manually hold the reen panes in the display positio'n but when t e red panes are to be, displayed the frame may rest upon the stop pin 27 secured in the side of the casing, as Wlll be understood. When thedisplay of a colored light is no longer desired, the frame is rocked 30 back to its normal position shown in Fig. 5.

It will be seen from the foregoing description that I have provided a very simple and inexpensive signal lantern which may be. easily set to display either a red or a green light. In the form shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, the green light is constantly displayed'and indicates caution while, when great care on the part of pedestrians or 'other motorists should be exercised, the ring6 may be easily '40 shifted to permit the red light to be displayed below the green light. In the form shown in Figs. 4, 5 and .6, a colored light will be displayed only when desired by the operator of I the vehicle but either the red or the een light may be'displayed at will. In bot forms: of the invention, the means for controlling the color of the light to be displayed is housed within the casing and is very simple in its arrangement so that it is not apt to get out of 5 order.

Having thus described the invention, I claim:

A signal lantern comprising a body having a slot in its side intermediate its top and hot- I tom, lens tubes projecting from the body, a

source of illumination within the body, and a ring fitting closely but slidably within the body and having an opening and provided with a handle element extendingthrough the, co slot in the body whereby the rin may be shifted to obscure a lens tube or toiiring the opening in the ring into axial alinement with the lens tube.

In testimony whereof I afiix m signature; PATRIQK J .ROONE [n a] 

